Rapid Review

When evidence is needed urgently, rapid reviews provide timely synthesis using streamlined systematic methods.

What is a Rapid Review?

A rapid review:

• Uses systematic review methods
• Applies pragmatic shortcuts
• Delivers faster results
• Maintains transparency about limitations

When to Use

Ideal Situations

• Policy urgency: Government needs evidence for imminent decisions
• Clinical emergencies: New safety signals requiring quick assessment
• Regulatory queries: Agency requests with tight deadlines
• Competitive intelligence: Understanding market landscape quickly
• Pandemic response: Rapid evidence for emerging threats

Time Frames

Permitted Shortcuts

Search Simplifications

• Focused database selection (3-5 vs 10+)
• Limited grey literature
• Recent time periods
• English language restriction

Screening Approaches

• Single reviewer with AI verification
• Higher AI confidence thresholds
• Limited full-text screening

Analysis Modifications

• Narrative synthesis over meta-analysis
• Simplified quality assessment
• Summary tables over detailed extraction

EvidAI Rapid Review Workflow

Accelerated Phases

1. Focused Protocol (hours)

   • Targeted PICO
   • Pre-defined shortcuts
   • Explicit limitations

2. Strategic Search (hours)

   • Key databases only
   • Optimized queries
   • Recent focus

3. Efficient Screening (days)

   • AI-assisted single pass
   • High-confidence automation
   • Targeted full-text review

4. Streamlined Extraction (days)

   • Essential fields only
   • AI-populated forms
   • Quick verification

5. Rapid Synthesis (days)

   • Summary tables
   • Key findings narrative
   • Clear limitations

6. Concise Report (days)

   • Executive summary focus
   • Actionable conclusions
   • Transparent methods

Quality Maintenance

What We Don't Shortcut

• Explicit methodology
• Transparent reporting
• Citation accuracy
• Core quality assessment

Documentation Requirements

Every rapid review documents:

• Shortcuts taken
• Rationale for decisions
• Impact on findings
• Recommendations for updates

Deliverables

Rapid review outputs:

• ✅ Focused protocol
• ✅ Search summary
• ✅ Results summary table
• ✅ Key findings narrative
• ✅ Limitations section
• ✅ Executive summary

Upgrading to Full SLR

If rapid review shows value:

1. Expand search comprehensively
2. Add dual screening
3. Complete full extraction
4. Conduct meta-analysis
5. Enable living review

Best Practices

Setting Expectations

• Be clear about scope
• Communicate limitations
• Set realistic timelines
• Define decision needs

Quality Assurance

• Verify AI decisions
• Check critical extractions
• Review key conclusions
• Document uncertainty